Delta 2023: DC-23 Adopts Guidelines, Warns Members Not To Accept Deputy Governorship Offers

By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe

Political leaders and stakeholders under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Thursday in Asaba, adopted the guidelines for the conduct of the internal affairs of a political pressure group known as Delta Central 2023 (DC-23).

The group at a well attended meeting held on April 29, at the private residence of the Political Adviser to the National Chairman of PDP, Chief Ighoyoya Amori, warned members of the group, particularly governorship aspirants and stakeholders in Delta Central, never to accept Deputy Governorship cum running mate offer, so as to effectively drive the desire of the senatorial district to a logical conclusion in her quest to produce the party’s governorship candidate in 2023 gubernatorial election.

Chairman of the constitution drafting committee and former Attorney General of Delta State, Chief Andrew Orugbo, told the meeting that the guidelines were technically crafted to meet the overall objectives of DC-23, and went further to articulate the draft document which was subjected to a debate and subsequently adopted.

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Speaker after speaker thanked the constitution drafting committee for a job well done and emphasised the need for there to be a sustained watertight unity among members and the good people of Delta Central to ensure that the senatorial district produce the PDP governorship candidate in 2023, in accordance with the party’s internal power rotation agreement between Delta North, Central and South, respectively.

Convener of DC-23, Chief Ighoyoya Amori, said the group will soon launch out on a state wide political consultation in Delta North and South senatorial districts; to drum up support for DC-23, adding that members and stakeholders must do whatever it takes to win the support of political leaders and stakeholders in Delta North and Delta South, so as to work in unity and love, and as one indivisible PDP political family in 2023 and beyond.

Former Minister of Information, Prof Sam Oyovbaire, noted that DC-23 is gaining ground and gathering required momentum in terms of attendance of members and the strong collective desire to produce the PDP governor in 2023.

Oyovbaire recalled that in 2007 Delta Central handed over power to Delta South and in 2015, Delta South handed over power to Delta North and that equity and good conscience should be sustained in that order, which is why Delta North must of a necessity hand over power to Delta Central in compliance with the power rotation agreement of PDP in the state.

He advised members not to play the second fiddle by accepting governorship running mate position; so as not to give the wrong impression that Delta senatorial district is divided in her desire to produce the party’s governorship candidate in the next gubernatorial election in the state, adding that desperate political actors will certainly deploy “divide and rule” tactics in the pursuit of their governorship ambition, and that such divisive political scheming must be resisted by DC-23 aspirants, members and stakeholders.

The meeting resolved that DC-23 will not support the ambition of a particular aspirant, to enable contestants freely pursue their aspirations to logical conclusion, but that individual aspirant within Delta Central should endeavour to inform the state governor and DC-23 group; and must of a necessity meet the requirements as individuals to run for the office of the governor of Delta State, and as contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

It was also agreed that the next meeting of the group shall hold within the next 14 days to inaugurate committees and subcommittees; to kick start political events of DC-23, considering the fact that party primaries may hold in 2022, as a propelling force for electioneering campaigns into general elections in 2023.

The highlight of the meeting was the adoption of DC-23 guidelines, also known as the constitution, as well as the group political slogan; “DC-23 for PDP Governor, PDP Governor, DC-23.”

Prominent political leaders and stakeholders at the meeting include the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, convener, Chief Ighoyoya Amori, former Minister of Information, Prof Sam Oyovbaire, former Secretary to Delta State Government, Rt Hon Festus Ovie Agas, former Director General of DLA, Chief Terry Noah, former Senator representing Delta Central, Senator Agwariavwodo, Chief of Staff, Government House, Olorogun David Edevbie, former members representing Ethiope Federal Constituency, Okakuro Sunny Akpodiogaga Sunny Emeyese and Okakuro Lovett Idisi.

Also in attendance were former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Andrew Orugbo, former Commissioner for Lands, Olorogun Fred Majemite, former Commissioner for Economic Planning, Chief George Orogun, Commissioner for Urban Renewal, Okakuro Arthur Akpowowo, Commissioner for Environment, Chief Chris Onogba, former member DTHA. Hon Ejaife Odebala, former member DTHA/SPAD, Chief Efe Ofobruku, Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon Mathew Itsekiri, former Chairmen, Ethiope East LGA, Dr. Amos Ighorodje, Okakuro Tony Oboroh and Chief Mrs Faith Majemite.

Others include; Executive Assistant on Communication to the Governor, Chief Barr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Hon Raymomd Edejala, Supeb First Member, Hon Philo Ededey, Representative of former member of House of Representatives, Hon Evelyn Oboro, and others too numerous to mention from the eight local government areas that constitute Delta Central Senatorial District.